Pictured in the Gore to Waikiwi Cycle Classic are, from left, Jim Phair 3rd, Nicola Stevens, (in back) Sam Kopae 2nd, Hamish Murie, (in back) Barry Harcourt (in blue) 1st, Ben Worker and Shirleen Rollo.
Barry Harcourt beat a field of 50 riders to win the 78km Geo W Wilson & Son Ltd-Southland Farm Machinery Ltd Gore to Waikiwi Cycling Classic handicap road race on Saturday.
Because of the nature of the race, riders were handicapped due to their ability, which created an exciting finish with a mass sprint and video footage required to confirm the placings.
The race started at the Gore Showgrounds where the riders geared up for the event.
The wind was in the riders' favour with a tail-wind the whole way home, which is very rare for this course.
Scratch riders managed to catch the break at Te Tipua and continued to gain ground on the middle section of riders.
Meanwhile, the front bunches had reunited forces and were moving down the course nicely.
Despite favourable riding conditions, the longstanding event wasn't without its fair share of challenges.
A dog ran onto the road to greet the middle section riders as they were passing through Spring Hills, almost causing an accident with two groups of cyclists, while riders had to be weary of magpies on the Lorneville Dacre Highway.
Harcourt crossed the line first, ahead of the fastest female, Sam Kopae, with Jim Phair in third place.
Josh Haggerty who has returned home after a season of racing overseas recorded the fastest time, completing the course in 1:42:43 closely followed by Luke Macpherson with 1:42:45.